Flushable Nonwoven Wipe Material With Dry-Bonded Water-Dispersible Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nonwoven fabric wipes and cleaning cloths made from cellulose-based materials are not biodegradable and non-flushable, posing environmental concerns due to their hydroentangled structure and high water content, which complicates disposal.
Innovation Solution
A dry, multi-layered nonwoven fabric material made from cellulose pulp fibers and water-soluble or water-dispersible polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethyl cellulose, with a water content of less than 10%, using a dry bonding process that includes needle-punching, calendering, or chemical bonding, and treated with hydrophobic substances to enhance water resistance and biodegradability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional cellulose-based nonwoven fabric is used with hydroentangled structure and high water content, then absorbency is improved, but biodegradability and flushability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the water content of the nonwoven fabric to be less than 10% through a dry bonding process, transforming the material from a high-water-content hydroentangled structure to a dry, biodegradable structure that can safely disintegrate in water without causing environmental pollution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining cellulose pulp fibers with water-soluble or water-dispersible polymers (such as polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose, Guar Gum, or starch) to create a nonwoven fabric that maintains absorbency while being biodegradable and flushable, resolving the contradiction between functionality and environmental harm
2Object-generated harmful factors
If dry bonding process is used to reduce water content, then biodegradability is improved, but bonding strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses water-soluble or water-dispersible polymers as intermediary bonding agents between cellulose pulp fibers. These polymers provide adequate bonding strength in the dry state through dry bonding processes (needle-punching, calendering, or chemical bonding) while being biodegradable and water-soluble, thus maintaining both strength and environmental compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the water content to be less than 10% and using dry bonding processes, which transform the material properties to achieve both biodegradability and sufficient bonding strength for practical application
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting material is biodegradable, water-soluble, and flushable, offering improved environmental sustainability while maintaining absorbency and effectiveness for household and personal care applications.
Implementation Method 1
a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer in an amount from 5 to 50 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the cellulose pulp fibres
Implementation Method 2
treated with hydrophobic substances to enhance water resistance and biodegradability
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of nonwoven textile products and is applied to the manufacture of nonwoven fabric, particularly general nonwoven products, for various applications such as household use and personal care. In particular, the present invention is applied to the manufacture of wipes and cleaning cloths. In particular, the present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric material comprising two external layers made of continuous filaments of a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer and at least one internal layer of a water-absorbent, flushable material.